Saturday, August 3, 2013

The School of Climate Change and Agricultural Meteorology (SCCAM) of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) organized an interactive group meeting on "Climate Change -Impacts and its Management" here today. The meet was organized under the aegis of All India Coordinate Research Project on Agricultural Meteorology (AICRPAM) – National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA). Dr K.K. Singh, Head, Agriculture Metrological Division, Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), New Delhi; Dr H.S. Sur, Former Consultant, Planning Commission, Government of India; Dr Surendra Paul, Director, IMD, Chandigarh; and Dr B. Pateriya, Director, Punjab Remote Sensing Centre, Ludhiana; participated in the meet. The farm experts of PAU and farmers from across the state also attended the meet.

In his inaugural remarks, the Chief Guest, Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, observed that the climate change is going to affect the surroundings, lifestyle, eco-system, agriculture, and food security of the country. Underlining the need for expanding the farm research in all directions, he emphasized on the formulation of mitigation strategies and development of climate resilient technologies in view of the rising temperature. Dr Dhillon also highlighted the importance of contingency plan, and said that precise application and efficient utilization of agricultural inputs and farm technologies are also vital.

Dr K.K. Singh appreciated the PAU's effort in the timely organization of this interactive meet and highlighted the activities of IMD. Focusing on climate variability, he stated that the observation system has been strengthened and the more the data are available, the more the system will become strong. The global warming and climate change issues need to addressed, he said, adding that capacity building is essential in this respect.

Dr S.S. Gosal, Director of Research, told that the depletion of ozone layer, increase in number of automobiles, rise in human-animal activities, and deforestation are some of the factors which have contributed to climate change. Informing that there has been an increase in carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide gases, Dr Gosal suggested the development of adaptation technologies to combat the effects of climate change.

Dr M.S. Gill, Director of Extension Education, said that conservation agriculture, crop residue management, promotion of agro-forestry in Punjab, and zero-tillage technology can play an important role in tackling the climate change issue.

Dr H.S. Sur highlighted the state action plan on climate change and stressed the need to involve farmers in planning process.

Earlier, Dr S.S. Kukal, Director, SCCAM, welcomed the dignitaries and the participants. This meet aimed at bringing farmers and scientists on a single platform to discuss strategies with regard to climate change, he added.

Dr J.S. Dhiman, Additional Director of Research (Natural Resources and Plant Health Management), said that devising strategies for climate change mitigation are necessary to move towards climate resilient agriculture, and to help policy planners and farming community at large. The two technical sessions were also held. News From: http://www.7StarNews.com